Over the years we’ve been blessed by the terrifyingly sharp wit and grit of Rovers Return barmaid Bet Lynch, the often madcap but well-meaning behaviour of six-times married Gail and we’ve enjoyed the zany adventures and anecdotes of Mary Taylor.

And who could ever forget the killer line “skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eyeliner, and roots as dark as her soul” delivered by the fabulous Blanche Hunt as she so accurately described another female Weatherfield legend, Liz McDonald.

Rita escaped from the tram that crashed into evil Alan Bradley (while wearing a fetching metallic mac) in 1989 and then she survived a tram crashing into the street in 2010. Emily Bishop survived having her head bashed in by killer Richard Hillman, and Vera Duckworth even came back to haunt her husband Jack.

The list is actually endless, but here in celebration of International Women’s Day are my favourite female Corrie icons who have made the soap the roaring success that it is over the years.

Liz McDonald

Bev Callard as Liz

Who knew that when Liz arrived in the soap as the abused wife of Jim McDonald and mum of twins Steve and Andy in 1989, she would go on to become the legend that she is today?

But she’s the steely backbone of the street, the landlady of the Rovers Return, mother, grandmother and fashion icon (especially her trademark zig-zag necklace) and you definitely wouldn’t mess with her.

Hilda Ogden

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When considering northern icons it’s difficult to see, and hear, beyond Hilda with her shrill singing voice, her famous flying ducks mural and her hair curlers and headscarf combo.

And she delivered one of the soap’s most famous lines. When asked by her husband what her lipstick tasted of, she replied “Woman Stanley, woman.” Indeed.

Sally Metcalfe

Sally has been leading a protest against sexist builders (Image: ITV)

Snobby Sally always delivers delightful comedy and is in her element chilling out to Wet Wet Wet in her conservatory with a glass of wine.

But Councillor Metcalfe is at her best when you give her a megaphone to shout at the sexist builders. She’s Weatherfield’s own iron lady and I want to be her friend.

Bet Lynch

Julie Goodyear as Bet Gilroy

Famous for wearing an armour of leopard print, voluminous blonde hair, a cigarette holder and painted-on smile, Bet was a force to be reckoned with.

And in real-life actress Julie Goodyear caused a stir after swapping the cobbles for Celebrity Big Brother, sashaying into the famous house to the classic musical number I Am What I Am, wearing trademark leopardskin, pussycat ears, a multicoloured coat and a sassy t-shirt reading ‘Get It. Got It. Good’.

Deirdre Barlow

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Deirdre could shake the cobbles with the sound of her weeping over husband Ken or daughter Tracy. And I’ll never get over the memory of a tipsy Deirdre singing Rihanna as she descended the stairs at Eileen’s house, or the fig bowl she made at pottery class. And she taught us all so much about life with tips such as “jelly shouldn’t run!”

Gail Platt

Gail played by Helen Worth (Image: ITV)

How can someone go through as much as Gail? The sudden deaths of three husbands (Brian, Joe and Michael), another husband (Richard Hillman) turned out to be a serial killer, her son David pushed her down the stairs and threw peanuts at her and her dream granny flat literally turned to dust when Fiz and Tyrone ploughed into it in a truck and drug dealer Callum’s body was revealed.

But she’s always chirpy is our Gail.

Michelle Connor

Michelle Connor came out fighting with barmaid Eva (Image: ITV)

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Grieving barmaid Michelle has ditched the flicky eyeliner recently. And her vengeful meltdown after discovering that Steve had fathered a baby with Leanne Battersby was just jaw-dropping. I love angry Michelle.